The Best Private Schools in Lincoln, New Hampshire
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Lincoln. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Mountain Village School
Independent Private School
Mountain Village School is a highly-regarded Montessori school serving the Lincoln area with a focus on child-centered education. The school offers programs from preschool through elementary grades with an emphasis on hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and outdoor education that takes advantage of the White Mountains location. The school features small class sizes, certified Montessori teachers, and a strong community atmosphere. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, and the way it fosters independence and love of learning in students.
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Holderness School
Independent College Preparatory School
Holderness School is a prestigious independent college preparatory school located approximately 30 minutes from Lincoln, serving students from throughout New Hampshire and beyond. The school offers a rigorous academic program with extensive Advanced Placement options, complemented by outstanding arts, athletics, and outdoor education programs. The 600-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, science labs, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Holderness is particularly noted for its outdoor leadership program that leverages the school's proximity to the White Mountains. The school maintains small class sizes and has a strong track record of college placements to selective universities.
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Jackson Grammar School
SAU 9 School District (Private Elementary Option)
While technically part of the SAU 9 district, Jackson Grammar School serves as a private school option for families in the Lincoln area seeking a traditional yet progressive elementary education. The school is known for its strong academic foundation combined with innovative programming that includes comprehensive STEM education, arts integration, and extensive outdoor learning opportunities. Located just 15 minutes from Lincoln, the school serves students from multiple communities and is praised for its dedicated teachers, safe environment, and strong sense of community. The historic school building has been modernized while maintaining its New England charm.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Lincoln, New Hampshire
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Lincoln, New Hampshire?
Lincoln, NH, is situated in a region with a few notable private schools, though many are in nearby towns. Directly in Lincoln, you'll find Mountain Village School, a private, independent school serving preschool through 8th grade with a progressive, place-based curriculum. A short drive away in Holderness is the prestigious Holderness School, a co-ed college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12. While Jackson Grammar School is a public school, the area also has other nearby options like the White Mountain School in Bethlehem. Given the rural setting, most private school options require some commuting, making transportation an important consideration for Lincoln families.
How does the tuition for private schools in the Lincoln, NH, area compare to the state average, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition in the Lincoln area varies significantly by school type. Day school tuition at Mountain Village School is generally below the state average for private K-8 schools. In contrast, Holderness School, as a boarding school, has a tuition and boarding fee that is higher than the New Hampshire average for private high schools, though its day student tuition is more comparable. Importantly, New Hampshire has one of the nation's most robust school choice programs: the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA). Eligible families can use state-funded accounts to pay for private school tuition, making private education more accessible for many Lincoln residents. Most schools also offer their own need-based financial aid.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Lincoln-area private schools offer that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Lincoln region deeply integrate the unique White Mountain environment into their programs. Mountain Village School emphasizes place-based and outdoor education, with regular forest explorations and projects connected to the local ecology. Holderness School is renowned for its mandatory outdoor program, where students engage in hiking, skiing, and rock climbing in the nearby White Mountain National Forest as part of their curriculum. This focus on outdoor leadership, environmental science, and experiential learning is a defining characteristic of private education here, offering students unparalleled access to alpine and wilderness experiences that are woven into academic and character development.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Lincoln, NH, and how competitive is admission?
Enrollment timelines follow a general independent school calendar, with applications often due in January or February for the following fall. However, given the smaller size of these schools, it's advisable to start the process in the fall. Admission competitiveness varies. Mountain Village School, with its smaller class sizes, can have waiting lists, particularly for early elementary grades. Holderness School is highly selective, with a competitive process for boarding and day spots that includes standardized testing, interviews, and teacher recommendations. For Lincoln families, a key step is attending open houses, which are often held in the fall, and connecting with admissions offices early to discuss fit and space availability.
For a family living in Lincoln, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (Lin-Wood Public School) and a private school?
The decision often centers on educational philosophy, class size, and specific program offerings. Lin-Wood Public School provides a tuition-free, comprehensive K-12 education with standard extracurriculars. Private options like Mountain Village School offer much smaller class sizes, a specific progressive pedagogy, and a strong outdoor focus that may align with a family's values. For high school, Holderness School offers a rigorous college-prep environment with extensive arts, athletics, and outdoor programs not available at the same scale in the public system. Families must also weigh practical factors: the cost of private tuition (potentially offset by NH's EFA program), daily commuting to schools outside Lincoln, and the desire for a boarding option at the high school level.
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